University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Volleyball Adds Four to 2016 Roster
11/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
University of Minnesota volleyball head coach Hugh McCutcheon has announced that Alexis Hart (Independence, Mo.), Lauren Litzau (Greendale, Wis.), Brittany McLean (Rosemount, Minn.) and Regan Pittman (Spring Hill, Kansas) will join the Golden Gophers in the fall of 2016.
"We are very excited to have this class of student athletes join our program," McCutcheon said. "They each bring talents and abilities that will add significant value to our program. We are proud to have them be a part of Gopher Volleyball."
Hart, a 6-foot outside hitter from Independence, Mo., was recently named an Under Armour First Team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Playing for Truman High School, Hart had 334 kills, hit .332, had 47 aces and 140 digs her senior year and amassed 1,284 kills and a .383 hitting efficiency for her career. She received the 2014 Evelyn Gate Award as the best high school volleyball player in Kansas City, the first junior to win the award in its 11-year history. A 2014 Prepvolleyball.com All-American, she was also a two-time all-state first-team selection her senior and junior years and an all-city and all-conference selection for all four. As a junior, Hart had 424 kills and hit .356, while she also accomplished 35 aces, 28 blocks and 98 digs. Playing for her club team, Invasion, Hart was a member of the all-tournament team at the 2015 USA Volleyball's Junior Nationals. Making a name for herself on the national level, Hart also made the training roster in Colorado Springs for the USA Youth National team. A standout basketball and track athlete, Hart was also an all-metro selection in the long jump when she won the state title as a sophomore and the school record in the triple jump and long jump.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I love the coaching staff and the players, but mainly, it feels like home sweet home to me," Hart said.
Litzau, a 5-foot, 8-inch defensive specialist/libero, played at Greendale High School and the Milwaukee Sting club team. Helping Greendale High School to its first state tournament appearance since 1979, Litzau was named a second-team all-state as a senior and a two-time Conference Player of the Year. A four-time all-conference honoree, Litzau played as an outside and a setter with Greendale. She posted 1,149 kills, 280 aces, 506 assists and 829 digs during her Panthers tenure. With the Sting, Litzau aided the team to top AAU finishes in 2015 and 2013 and was on the Badger Region High Performance Team in 2013. A 2015 AAU Academic All-American, Litzau also garnered the 2015 JVA Athleader Award. The daughter of Steve and Kathy Litzau, Lauren is the second in her family to play collegiate volleyball, as her mom, Kathy, played at Notre Dame.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I loved the environment of the team and the university," Litzau said. "When I visited, I immediately felt comfortable with the coaches and players. I knew that Minnesota would be the perfect place to continue my education and volleyball career."
McLean, a 6-foot, 1-inch outside hitter from Rosemount, Minn., was named an Under Armour First Team All-American by the AVCA and Prepvolleyball.com All-American in 2014. During her high school career and club career, McLean has been named a six-time All-American. She was recently named the 2015 Ms. Baden recipient, given to the top senior volleyball player in the state by the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association. With Rosemount High School, McLean was a two-time all-state, three time all-conference selection. She was named a three time first-team all-metro choice to pace the Fighting Irish. The Rosemount record holder in career kills (1,535) and aces (132), McLean also posted 668 digs and 180 blocks. In her senior year, she helped the Irish to a 24-6 overall record. As a junior, she posted 490 kills, 33 aces and 36 blocks. A seven-year member of Northern Lights, she was a 2013 and 2014 AAU All-American and was the tournament MVP of the European Global Challenge in 2014. She is also ranked 44th in the 2016 Prepvolleyball.com Senior Aces.
"Choosing the University of Minnesota was an easy decision for me," McLean said. "The opportunity to play for and learn from Coach McCutcheon and his coaching staff is very exciting. Add to that, the great gym environment and community support for the team, top academic options, and a great campus close to my family, I couldn't have asked for anything better. I'm excited and honored to become a Gopher."
Pittman, a 6-5 middle blocker from Spring Hill, Kan., was recently named an Under Armour First Team All-American by the AVCA, 2015 Prepvolleyball.com Club All-American and 2014 high school All-American. Playing with both her high school team, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and club team, KC Power, Pittman was named to the 2015 American Family Insurance All-USA Preseason Team, a Prepvolleyball.com Pre-Season Watch List. A two-time first-team all-state selection, Pittman was also a two-time all-state tournament team honoree. She was also a 2014 Prepvolleyball.com All-American and was listed as the 12th-best recruit in the nation and was a National Junior of the Year finalist. Coming to Minnesota with international experience, Pittman was a member of the USA Youth National Team World Championship roster, which garnered a silver medal in 2015. Pittman had over 1050 career kills at Saint Thomas Aquinas, .450 hitting clip, 349 blocks (236 solos) and 170 digs. Her .450 career hitting efficiency ranks at the top of Saints' record books, while her 472 kills this season is also a school record.
"When choosing Minnesota, it really came down to three simple reasons: to play for the best, with the best, and against the best," Pittman said. "I fell in love with the program and the school. Having my brother at another college 90 miles away from Minneapolis is also an advantage."
To read about all our recent roster additions, check it out here. https://t.co/6bYENI8QaB pic.twitter.com/Tr9i6X0zfu
- Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) November 12, 2015
